Garcia won two scorecards by 116-112, but saw the other judge give a 114-114 tie as he retained the title.

The 25-year-old Garcia (28-0) landed just 30 percent of his punches compared to 32 percent for Herrera (20-4), but Garcia landed more heavy punches as he opened a cut under Herrera's left eye in the eighth round.

Herrera opened a cut on the bridge of Garcia's nose in the ninth round, but Garcia began to land hooks and combinations during the final rounds.